Honeymooners and romantic couples in search of hedonism and beauty have long headed for Tahiti – but the lesser-known island of Taha’a, just a stone’s throw from legendary Bora Bora, is all too often overlooked! So maybe look again! If you’re in search of understated luxury on an island that remains as pristine as Bora Bora was over 20 years ago, then Le Taha’a really is it! Squeezed between Bora Bora and the small island of Raiatea, you arrive at idyllic Le Taha’a following a 35 minute boat ride from Raiatea (or via a short exhilarating helicopter flight from Bora Bora – a great way to impress your new love!)
Famous for its vanilla plantations and black pearl farms, Taha’a is intimate, idyllic and wonderfully unspoiled. Le Taha’a Island Resort lies on a motu (islet) in the Taha’a lagoon and is a member of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection of hotels. Inspired by traditional Polynesian architecture, your overwater bungalow sits over the crystal clear lagoon waters …..just imagine returning from dinner and opening the glass case at the end of your king bed to feed the tropical fish! This is ‘Tahitian television’ at its romantic best!
Romance aside, if you go exploring on Taha’a, you’ll discover some wonderful hidden local secrets! More than 80% of French Polynesia’s famous vanilla comes from Taha’a, so visiting a plantation is definitely worthwhile! Vallee de la Vanille is an organic vanilla plantation on Taha’a that offers free tours so you can learn about the cultivation, drying and production of Taha’a renowned vanilla (Tahaa’s lush landscape makes it perfect for growing tropical fruits!)
Learn more about Le Taha’a Island Resort and Spa
Romantic couples rarely leave Tahiti without purchasing a Tahitian Black Pearl – but few people know that a pearl from Taha’a boasts a subtle deeper and darker colour (due to the natural environment of the Taha’a lagoon)…. A great boast to friends that your Tahitian black pearl is one of its kind from Taha’a!
What’s more, the Taha’a lagoon is ideal for sailing! So you can easily combine your stay with a few days on board a private yacht or catamaran with a one or two man crew! Or sail to Bora Bora from here and arrange to be dropped at the pontoon of your chosen hotel – decadence on the water indeed!
At Le Taha’a, you can go snorkelling, diving and kayaking or wander through palms and fallen coconuts but if all that sounds too energetic, just start and end your day by jumping off your private deck into the turquoise lagoon – there’s really no need to go anywhere else! And as the sun begins to set on another day in this island paradise, you can stare across at majestic Bora Bora, smug in the knowledge that you have discovered an awe-inspiring little gem that the rest of the world still doesn’t know about ….yet! This is what dreams are made of ……..
Learn more about Tahiti and Her Islands
